The curriculum is based upon classic Hebrew literature including stories by luminaries such as Y.L. Peretz, Shalom Aleichem, and Shai Agnon. Modern Hebrew songwriters are featured. Two large units teach about the Holocaust and Eli Cohen. Hebrew grammar is studied in greater depth with an emphasis on expanding patterns and understanding how the same root is affected by different constructions.

Units of study include:

• Classical and modern stories about the Tishrei/תשרי holidays
• Israeli music
• How do students see themselves in the future?
• Holocaust studies
• Heroes and role models
• Israel
• Grammar unit on binyan pi’elפיעל

The goals of Hebrew study, as those of any language, are two fold: (1) to communicate our thoughts: expressing our feelings about new situations, sharing our interests, expressing opinions, and reacting to what others express; (2) to acquire information and ideas: reading newspapers, short stories, and longer novels in Hebrew. The course is taught using modified modern Hebrew literature.

Units of study include:

• “Connections Large and Small” Unit: Students will read the story “My New School,” the story “Yom Kippur,” and the article, “What is Happiness.”
• Literature Unit: By reading the chapter book Hasamba, students will learn about the underground organizations that brought immigrants to Israel just before statehood.
• Israeli Music Unit: The Idan Raichel Project – students will read a short biography of Idan Raichel and learning some of the group’s popular songs.
• Students explore the story “Ha Prutah” by Agnon.
• Students watch and analyze the movie “The Summer of Aviyah” about Israel in the 50s.

Students research issues of particular interest to youth of today and debate them. They read original stories by Israeli authors that focus on problems of today’s youth. In Hebrew, eighth graders study minority groups in Israel: Bedouins and Druze. In grammar, students strengthen knowledge of five verb forms, irregular nouns, synonyms, and homonyms.

Units of study include:

• Literature Unit
  • Study the Shoah (Holocaust) by reading at least one of these original works of literature: “The Siren,” “The Children from Mapu Street,” “To Keep a Promise.”
  • Read research about the dangers of energy drinks and cell phone addiction, and write paper on pros and cons of young people having cell phones.
  • Learn about the Druze and Bedouins and prepare PowerPoint presentations.
  • Read stories by modern Israeli authors Etgar Keret, Smadar Shir, and Shai Agnon.
  • Study the movie Etz Adumim Tafus and continue to discuss the impact of the Holocaust on Israeli society.
• Advertising/Language Unit: Students will explore the importance of language as a means to persuade and attract people. Students read an article about the struggle to keep the Hebrew language free of foreign influences.
• Israeli Music Unit: By studying works of Naomi Shemer and the rap groups HaDag Nachash and Fools of Prophecy, students will learn about the background of these musicians and the meaning behind the songs.